I was on my way to Belgium routing LAM – DVR – KOK at 2200’. I have passed Canterbury and changed frequency to London Inf. and was told ‘ No known traffic to effect you’ which means very little as they have no radar,very busy and trying to do their best! Approx. 4 miles DME from DVR the windscreen was full
with a DC-8. I called London Inf. with my newly acquired highe pitch voice(other than my heart all bits were in place). By the time that it took me to finished my 360 (in order to avoid any vortex)the DC-8 was on his final approch to Manston and London Inf. asked me if I am not inside Manston ATZ as they have a DC-8 on a touch & go.
I wasn’t inside, I was on the DVR 307R.
I don’t know how close we were but it was very unpleasant.
Flying to Brighton over a Saturday enjoying the bleu clear sky and following the cost after circling the Isle of White.
I called the tower passed my position and was instructed to join and call overhead at 2000'. As I listened for a while I knew that there were traffic and another 2 aircraft joining from different directions but with THE SAME INSTRUCTIONS!.
Approx. 1-1.5 miles away from the overhead I heard the second aircraft, a Fuji, calling for the overhead, I was the next.
Knowing that there is no other a/c for the overhead I have allowed myself to relax and started my approch checks. Arriving to the overhead on the R/W heading I made my call and turn left over the live side in order to possion my self for a dead side descent. The tower instructed me to follow the Fuji. Seconds later, a red nosed aircraft passed about 30’ above us arriving from my 11 O’clock.
The tower was not impressed with me as I have followed a tail dragger. I never saw a Fuji before and didn't know how they look like(Fuji is a film, isn’t it?)so I followed the nearest a/c in the circuit.
Twenty min. later, after paying our respect to the local W.C and while having our tea and sandwiches a red nosed a/c taxied in and two brave pilots wearing flying suits (and I think helmets as well) climbed out. You have guessed, it was the Fuji!
Luckily enough, under these situations (and I know that all of you will have a go at me) I never keep the alt. This time it saved my wife’s and my life!
The moral of the story is that you can never win. You must be on your guard at all times.
Any spelling mistakes, please complain to the Spell Checker.